Improvement in double-seaming tin cans



UNrrnD Smarts Aimar erica.

H. A. MERIAM, OF TITUSVILLE, PENNSYLVANIA.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 12,0l0, dated March 22, 1864.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, H. A. MERIAM, of Titusville, in the county of Crawford and State of Pennsylvania, have invented anew and Improved Instrument to be Used inDouble- Seaming Square or Rectangular Cans; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, making part of this specification.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a square or rectangular can, in forming which my improved instrument is employed. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the instrument. Fig. 3 is a central vertical longitudinal section of the can, with the instrument applied thereto for the purpose of double-seaming. Fig. 4 is a section of one edge or corner of the can, showing especially the manner of forming the double seam.

Like letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the gures.

The object of the can A is more especially to contain petroleum; and it is desirable to make it of large size, and also as tight as possible, 'since that liquid is of a very penetrating and v'olatile character. It is made of the square or rectangular form represented in the drawings, because it can be done much cheaper than in any other shape. The sides a c are formed of two sheets of tin jointed or seamed at two opposite diagonal corners, and the two heads I) Z1 are then applied in the same way.

rlhe manner of seaining is shown clearly in Fig. 4. One sheet is provided with a single bend, c, of the edge, and the other is provided with a double bend, d cZ. These bends are interlocked and hammered or headed down closely, and suitably soldered in the usual manner.

In forming the seams it is apparent that the can may be fitted over a square or rectangular block of proper size to fill it, and the seams of the sides and of'one head be hammered down on that block. But this block has to be removed before .the last head is put on, and

there is therefore nothing to bear against inside in seaming this head.

It is the Aobject of my invention to obviate this difficulty by the employment of the following instrument: I take a small bar, B, of

steel or other metal, and bend it into the forni shown in Fig. 2--that is, a head, f, whose length is a little less than the width or diambench, c, or other support, and be held by Y i means of a key, It, or equivalent. In order to apply this instrument to the can, a small hole, Z, is made in the center of the head b of the latter already in place. instrument is then inserted in this hole,which is easily accomplished by presenting the can in an angular and diagonal position and varying the position, necessarily, as the instrument gradually enters. Vhen the instrument is in place it occupies the position represented in Fig. 3, the square end f resting in the upper forward angle of the can, where the head is to be secured, and serving as the base against which to hammer in seaming. In thisv manner I am enabled to seam this head of the can as easily and expeditiously as the first. When the work is accomplished the instrument is removed in the same manner as it was y inserted, and the hole can be sealed up by soldering apiece of tin over it. In order to perform this peculiar office the instrument must be of the particular form described, for the following reasons: First, the end f must be nearly of the length of the diameter of the can; a cross-head with the shank attached in the center could not enter the hole Z, therefore the shank g must extend from one end of the head f; second, when in place in the can, the shank r/ must occupy a central position transversely of the head j', not only on account of its position necessarily in the hole Z, but also to brace centrally against the blows of the hammer in seaming; third, lthe shank must also be situated at some distance below the horizontal.'

plane of the top of the head f, in order to rest in the hole Z, and stillallow the bearing-faces of f to fit exactly in the angle of the can, so as to seam against each side. While all these The endf of the requirements are niet the instrument is still of In witness whereof I have hereuntosgned such shape that it enters the small central my name in the presence of tivo subseribing hole, Z, Without difficulty. Witnesses.

W'hat I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is- II. A. MERIAM.

The instrument B, formed with the head f,

curve h, and shank g, substantially as described, Vitnesses: i Y

when used for seeming :t square or rectangular 1WM. A. MERIAM, eau, A, in the manner herein set forth. 1

L. L. MCQUILLEN. 

